Marshfield: Local radio station fields a car in the 2012 Marshfield Fair Demolition Derby

Hanson, Mass. Native will drive the car for the second straight year

MARSHFIELD – A WATD-FM news reporter will get behind the wheel of the Marshfield radio station’s demolition derby car on the opening night of the Marshfield Fair to defend his trophy from last year’s derby, and the title of “Duke of Destruction.”

Steven Dodrill, a news reporter and anchor at 95.9 WATD FM in Marshfield, last year drove his car “Fast Eddie” to victory in his heat of the Demolition Derby at the Route 3A Fairgrounds.

“We are very excited to be able to come back to the fair-grounds where I have been coming for years watching Demolition Derbies from the grandstands,” said Steve Dodrill. “We are just having fun, and hoping to go out there on Friday night and run well for our sponsors: Bill’s Service and Repair in Marshfield, Tiny and Son’s Auto Glass on Route 53 in Pembroke, Rockland Athletic Supplies, The Modern Barber Shop, Express Towing and Go Pro Camera.”

This year, the car, “Big Steve”–named after the driver’s father, Steven Dodrill Sr. of Hanson–will be outfitted so the 25-year-old driver can broadcast live on the radio from inside the car while he smashes into the other cars in the derby. The car will also feature an in-car camera provided by GoPro Camera.

“The camera is a small high-definition camera and we are planning to mount it to catch all the thrills, excitement and destruction that come with a demolition derby,” said Dodrill. “Along with the video, we will have weekday mid-day host Larry Nelson and Production Director Kevin Chase broadcasting live over the radio the blow-by-blow details high above the derby, while I will provide color from inside the car.”

In order to prepare for the derby, a pit crew made up of staff from Bill’s Service and Repair and friends of the driver had to remove the door panels, rear seats, all the carpet and upholstery, and specially outfit the 2000 Buick Century to make sure there was nothing in it that could catch fire, or become a projectile.

“It took several hours in the summer heat, a few cuts and scrapes, and several cans of spray paint to prepare ‘Big Steve,’ but we feel that the car is ready and can be a serious contender,” said Dodrill. “Our pit crew and supporters will be dressed in shirts prepared by Rockland Athletic Supplies and are designed to make them stand out.”

Dodrill, a news reporter, has been with WATD-FM since he was a high school intern. He covers the South Shore for WATD Radio located in Marshfield and is often the first on the scene for breaking news events like fires and car crashes.

“For work I have covered car crashes as a news reporter and those crashes have been very serious–some that will make your jaw drop and stomach churn,” said Dodrill. “I’ve been in a few crashes personally and none that I have experienced on the road compare to the more than 30 hits I took in last year’s Marshfield Fair Demolition Derby.”

The first of several qualifying heats for the Marshfield Fair Demolition Derby will take place on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 7 p.m. on the first night of the fair. If “Big Steve” lasts past the first night, the car could be re-entered into the fair’s derby on a later date. If the car wins, it could advance to the next round.